IDENTIFICATION OF TEXTILE FIBERS

A number of methods are available for characterization of the structural,

physical and chemical properties of fibers. Various methods are used for
fiber identification like microscopic method, solubility, heating and
burning method, density and staining etc. End- use property
characterization methods often involve use of laboratory techniques
which are adapted to simulate actual condition of average wear on the
textile or that can predict performance in end-use.

FIBERS AND ITS IDENTIFICATIONS

1) Burning test
2) Chemical test
3) Microscopic views

Cotton
Chemical test- At 75% zinc chloride solution dissolves cotton
that has not been mercerized.

Microscopic view

The cotton fiber is a single elongated cell. Under a microscopic, it

looks like flat , spirally twisted ribbon like tube with rough granular
surface. A the finishing process makes them swollen, straight,
smooth and round with a shining surface.
 Wool
Chemical test
At a 5% solution of sodium hydroxide dissolves wool protein fibers
dissolve only partially and very slowly.

MICROSCOPIC VIEW
Wool fiber has irregular, roughly cylindrical, multi cellular structure
with tapered ends. Under a microscope, three basic layers are
shown- epidermis (outer layer), cortex (middle layer) and medulla
(inner layer). Medulla is seen only in coarse and medium wool
fibers and that too under a highly powerful microscopic.

Silk
Chemical test
A 5% solution of sodium hydroxide dissolves silk and reconstituted
protein fibers dissolve only partially and very slowly.

MICROSCOPIC VIEW
Raw silk fiber, composed of two filaments, has elliptical shape
under the microscope. The two fine and iustrous . Filaments are
shown clearly looking like transparent rods with triangular shape.
Wild silk or tussah fiber has different appearance than the
cultivated silk. It is flattened, coarse, thick and broader fiber having
fine, wavy lines all across its surface whereas cultivated silk is
narrower fiber with no marks on i